The Lieutenant Governor administration’s latest announcement on ex gratia payments brings long-awaited clarity, uniformity and compassion to Jammu and Kashmir’s compensation framework for those who sacrifice their lives or suffer injuries in the line of duty. At its core, the policy recognises a fundamental truth-no financial aid can ever compensate for a lost life. Yet when a family suddenly loses its breadwinner, timely assistance from the Government becomes not just welcome but essential for survival. For years, the absence of a clear and comprehensive compensation policy meant that files of the Next of Kin kept circulating endlessly across Government desks, delaying support to those who needed it most. Ambiguities over entitlement, domicile status, service category and the nature of duty often left families struggling emotionally and financially. This announcement, therefore, is not merely an administrative step; it fills a critical void and brings a structured approach to an issue that directly affects hundreds of families across the Union Territory.
The decision to grant a substantial Rs 25 lakh ex gratia to domicile CAPF and defence personnel martyred within or outside J&K sets a new benchmark of institutional respect for service and sacrifice. The graded support-Rs 5 lakh for local police, SPOs and non-local CAPF personnel, and Rs 1 lakh for civilians-ensures that no category of affected person is ignored. Importantly, the order also acknowledges the plight of magistrates, Government employees, surrendered militants, and even victims of cross-border shelling, ensuring that every unfortunate scenario finds a place within the ambit of relief. Equally significant are the clearly defined provisions for permanent disability, partial disability and injuries of varying severity. Such detailed categorisation is crucial because injuries often lead to long-term economic distress, and a policy that accounts for this nuance reflects administrative sensitivity. Property damage-whether due to militancy-related sabotage or cross-border shelling-has been incorporated with defined ceilings, preventing arbitrary assessments and prolonged delays.
This comprehensive framework sends out a strong message: the Government of Jammu and Kashmir stands firmly with its people, its security personnel and all those affected by conflict or law-and-order situations. By laying down specific entitlements, timelines, and categories, the administration has ensured that grief-stricken families will no longer have to run from office to office in search of justice.
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